iBook G3 Snow backlight issue

[behshad]

hi all,

i have an iBook G3 snow with a faulty backlight. the problem is intermittent and unfortunately i can't replicate it to fix it when i want. i bought this recently and basically the backlight goes out from time to time. i managed to find a G4 12.1" which turned out having the exact same screen components. i swapped the backlight as well as the inverter but that didn't work. when i tested the voltage at the entry to inverter it was nil, then suddenly backlight came alive and it has not gone out since. the entry voltage is about 4-4.5 volt. restarted the laptop several times and it works every time.

is the cable being pinched by hinges a common problem? what about logic board issues which i am hoping it's not! any other area i should look for fix?

cheers

 

[AphoticD]

I once had a snow iBook G3 800MHz which suffered from an intermittent backlight issue when I moved the screen back and forth alongside WiFi signal drop outs. I figured it was the hinge area pinching the internal cables. However I didn't try repairing it before selling it off (with a description of the faults of course).

I haven't seen this issue with the iBook G4 or earlier iBook G3s, so maybe it was model specific? That model had a few problems, including sweaty/smelly keyboards and failing GPUs. It looked nice though

 

[behshad]

yeah it seems the hinges are a common issue. i was fortunate enough to have a inverter board and a working LCD/backlit unit to i could test both. didn't seem to be an issue with neither, however like i said it has started to light up now and my frustration is i didn't fix anything, only disassembled screen and reassembled and all seem fine now

like you said maybe the issue was hinges and it was adjusted by pulling the screen assembly apart. does anyone know where does this hinges pinching take place? inside the screen assembly or the main chassis?

 

[PowerPcboi]

I just fixed this on my iBook. The inverter cable gets pinched on the hinge of the monitor and the display.
Follow this guide: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iBook+G3+12-Inch+Clutch+Cover+Replacement/1511

Then when you get to take off the metal hinge cover, you will see two cables. The smaller cable that gos by the HDD is the data cable. The inverter cable is the other one. Cut off the protective insulation around the inverter cables. Cut away all the insulation, and if the hinge did indeed damge the wires you will know(Mine literally fell apart the second I cut away the insulation). After that you will need to splice the wires back together, and/or replace them. Rap them in insulation tape, and your done. Hopefully that fixes the issue.

I know this thread is old, but I responded because this is not anywhere else on the internet, and I had much trouble fixing it myself. I wish you luck if you do see this, it is not easy, but doable job.

edit: Spelling